Planning to Export Goods from Colombia to Venezuela by Land in 2024?
According to an article published by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism on February 8, “the process of restoring economic and trade relations between Colombia and Venezuela, which began in September 2022, has led to an increase in Colombian exports to that market.
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Last year, Colombia exported a total of US$673.4 million to Venezuela through all borders, airports, and ports, representing a 6.5% increase compared to 2022. In terms of volume, 370,090.3 tons were shipped, reflecting an 8.4% growth.
Of the total export value, 95% corresponded to non-mining energy goods, totaling US$640.2 million—an increase of 6.3% compared to 2022.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Germán Umaña Mendoza, stated: “We have made positive and proactive progress in the process of reestablishing our relationship with Venezuela. The deepening of the Partial Scope Trade Agreement has undoubtedly helped strengthen this relationship.”
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Border Exit Points Between Colombia and Venezuela
Ground cargo shipments from Colombia to Venezuela typically exit through either La Guajira (Paraguachón) or Cúcuta, Norte de Santander.
The number of trucks crossing through La Guajira (Guarero) is approximately three times higher than those using the Cúcuta-San Antonio del Táchira route. This may be due to better security conditions along the former and greater familiarity with customs procedures on that route.
Average transit time from Bogotá to the border is around two days. Once the cargo crosses the border, the sealed container begins the nationalization process on the Venezuelan side. This may take around three days, after which the container is transferred to a Venezuelan-licensed truck.
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Security
For high-value shipments, it is essential to arrange for escort and security measures throughout the entire journey—from the origin in Colombia to the final destination in Venezuela.
It is also crucial to insure your cargo through a corridor or insurance company that specifically covers shipments to Venezuela. Please note that not all insurers provide coverage for this route.
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Legal Compliance When Exporting
When requesting a land transport quote from Colombia to Venezuela, you may encounter different types of services. Regardless of the option you choose, make sure the provider follows all legal procedures for export and import.
If your company exports goods and receives payment, but it turns out the carrier you hired crossed the border illegally, your company may face foreign exchange penalties of up to 200% of the transaction value for failing to properly register the export with the DIAN and the Central Bank of Colombia.
It is vital that your logistics provider ensures compliance with all Colombian export laws and that your client in Venezuela does the same with their local customs authority.
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Roadblocks and Holidays
Customs procedures in both Colombia and Venezuela are conducted on business days only. Therefore, if a shipment coincides with a public holiday, expect potential delays and increased costs.
These routes are also occasionally affected by roadblocks and fuel supply issues, which may cause additional delays.
We hope this blog provides useful insights and helps you carry out your exports to Venezuela successfully by following these key tips.
If you need additional information or tailored advice, feel free to contact D-Log at info@dietrich-logistics.com.co